demography

[hairpin]

why is demography important to historians

[Octavius]

Demography is the study of human population dynamics. It encompasses the study of the size, structure and distribution of populations, and how populations change over time due to births, deaths, migration and ageing. Demographic analysis can relate to whole societies or to groups defined by criteria such as education, nationality, religion and ethnicity.

Medieval demography (demography in the Middle Ages)  is an estimate of the number of people who were alive during the Medieval period, population trends and movements. In many ways, demography was the number one most important determing factor of historical change throughout the Middle Ages.

[Paul22118]

Just a small addition to Octavius, who I agree completely with. I think it is important to look at the bigger picture in understanding the importance of demography.  One should relate the movement, decrease, increase or indeed the disappearance of population as a result of industry or changes in populations because of other affecting factors.  For example there was a huge population explosion in South Wales valleys becasue of King coal.  That led to iron works and in turn to huge employment which increased the population even more.  Then quite independently shipping changed and coastal Cardiff gained importance over the Valleys.  The ironworks closed and steel production began near the ports.  The valleys shrunk and the coast boomed - hence Cardiff becoming the capital.  If one looks at the demograhic changes here within a chosen time frame it can be related to other affecting factors.  This is what makes it interesting.